Pediatricians are the main branch of medical science that involves the care of children, infants, and teens. The American Academy of Pediatrics recommends people seek pediatric attention through the age of 18. In the United Kingdom, pediatricians covers patients from birth until the age of consent. In Canada, the term is used for a doctor who has completed all the requirements for becoming a qualified doctor. This type of doctor can be found in hospitals or any private practice place.
Some pediatricians also specialize in treating children who have special needs. Specialization is an added advantage when treating these kinds of children. An orthopedist might become a pediatrician if they see children who suffer from orthopedic problems. A podiatrist is also a pediatrician in many areas of the world.
There are a lot of similarities between a pediatrician and a family practitioner. Both are trained to administer and treat medicines. Children sometimes live in a pediatrician’s office. Often, a pediatrician may see children as young as six weeks old. A pediatrician’s office is also used to treat adults.
The medical field is divided into two major branches. These branches are general and specific. General medical doctors can be found in hospitals and some colleges and schools and provide a wide variety of services to people of all ages. Specific physicians provide specific treatments and medications to patients in a hospital or at a college or school. A pediatrician provides a range of services to patients in a hospital or elsewhere.
Each pediatrician must have certain qualifications. They must hold a university degree or a Doctor of Health Administration. A doctor of health administration degree requires three years of graduate study. After graduation, an individual may find employment in the academic community or in a pharmaceutical firm. Many pediatricians also find work in government, school systems, or in private practice.
Like all medical school graduates, pediatricians should be able to pass the medical school entrance exam. The medical school admission process favors candidates who have earned high grades throughout their academic career. Candidates who attend an accredited medical school and pass the entrance exam are considered “pre-medical” under their school’s rules and regulations. Some post-board certifications and licenses are required before a child may become eligible for entry into the pediatric medical school.
Specialization in pediatrics involves both clinical and research studies. Pediatricians often specialize in one of three areas: childhood development, infectious disease, or pediatric neurology and developmental disorders. For example, pediatric neurology deals with neurological disorders affecting children from birth to adolescence.
During their time in medical school, candidates must achieve a minimum of a bachelor’s degree in a science-related field and pass the necessary board exams for licensure. The United States Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Vocational and Adult Education encourages potential student applicants to pursue specialization in pediatrics. It is estimated that there will be a shortage of more than 4 percent professionals in the field by 2021. To meet the projected demand, a candidate needs to complete a four-year undergraduate degree, pass a state exam, pass the state licensing exam, pass the state’s pediatrician residency application, and pursue at least two additional years of medicine or another specialized field.
Pediatricians provide specific services to young children and adolescents. They provide medical care and assistance to parents and families dealing with infantile health problems, from birth to adolescence. Infants and toddlers are treated for life-threatening diseases such as measles, rubella, congenital rubella, and laryngeal palsy. Pediatricians diagnose and treat childhood diseases and symptoms associated with these diseases, and guide families through the process of childhood immunization.
Pediatricians also play an important role in the recovery of infants, toddlers, and adolescents who have been injured or ill. In addition to pediatric medicine, they provide medical care and support to patients with cancer, AIDS, diabetes, heart disease, and obesity. Some pediatricians work in hospice or hospital pediatricians, providing extended medical care to those suffering from terminal illness or serious illnesses. They can also counsel families on emotional and psychological issues that come along with illness. They are often the last line of defense between families and ill children.
The pediatrician is also called upon to provide pediatric emergency care in the event of a tragic accident or severe illness that threaten the health of an infant or toddler. Pediatricians respond immediately to emergency situations such as births, drowning, choking, emergencies at the hospital, and emergency rooms. They perform life saving procedures such as drawing blood, administering oxygen, prescribing medication, and monitoring the vital signs of infants, toddlers, and adolescents. They also deal with complicated cases such as emergencies in the acute care setting, treating infections, treating traumatic injuries, and prescribing drugs for severe infections. Through their experience in diagnosing and treating illnesses and injuries, pediatricians play an essential role in the emotional and physical well being of infants, toddlers, and adolescents.
